Travel Insurance for Seniors with Pre-Existing Conditions in Canada
Travelling can lead to unforgettable experiences. However, for seniors with pre-existing health conditions, having a relaxed travel experience can be challenging, especially when it comes to being insured. If you have a chronic health condition that could complicate your travel plans, finding a policy that allows you to travel with ease is essential.
For seniors seeking the peace of mind to travel confidently, keep reading to learn about the best travel insurance plan on the market, designed specifically for travellers with pre-existing conditions. This policy completely eliminates stability period restrictions, age restrictions, and ensures you have access to the funds you need for a medical emergency while abroad.
Why Travel Insurance is Challenging for Seniors with Pre-Existing Conditions
Travellers who meet senior age and have a pre-existing health condition are naturally seen as higher risk to insurance providers. It makes the complexity of coverage, as well as the cost, increase significantly. This will lead the insurance provider to either charge you more expensive premiums or deny covering you completely.
In the eyes of most insurance providers, you’re considered a senior with a pre-existing condition when:
You are 60 years or older (some plans start at 55).
You regularly take prescription medication and/or receive regular treatment for a condition.
You have been diagnosed with a chronic or recurring illness before your trip. Chronic health issues include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, cancer, and kidney disease.
Stability Periods and How It Affects Travel Insurance Coverage
Often, insurance providers will require your condition to be stable for a certain period of time leading up to your trip in order to be eligible for coverage. Each provider has their own requirements. The stability period usually falls within a 90 to 180 day span.
If you fail to demonstrate that your condition is stable for 90-180 days prior to the trip, your insurance will not cover anything related to your condition, including:
If the trip is canceled before or after you travelled. Your insurance provider will likely not cover any cancellation fees or non-refundable expenses.
You have a health emergency while abroad and need to seek out foreign medical services. Any international health care costs will not be covered by provincial plans like OSAP or your private insurance provider.
If your trip is delayed due to a medical emergency, your provider will not cover any additional costs (hotel stays, new airline tickets) caused by the delay.
In order to be considered stable for travel, you need to show:
No new symptoms
No changes in your medication or treatment
No hospitalizations related to the condition
No ongoing tests or referrals to a specialist
The Best Travel Insurance for Seniors with Pre-Existing Conditions
Those who suffer from chronic conditions, especially seniors, don’t deserve to have their travel plans ruined by high out-of-pocket costs. While many travel insurance providers are strict about pre-existing conditions, there are other options designed for travellers with complex medical needs, allowing you to travel on your terms.
Manulife Individual Medical Underwriting Plan
The Manulife Individual Medical Underwriting Plan was designed for travellers who have avoided travelling or travelled without coverage due to a pre-existing condition. With no age restrictions or stability periods, travellers of all ages with a pre-existing condition can travel with confidence and peace of mind. It just makes things simple.
The Manulife Individual Medical Underwriting Plan provides travel medical insurance up to $10 million dollars, which fully covers you for most medical expenses incurred while travelling abroad. With single and multi-trip options available, the possibilities are limitless.
Ask a Broker if the Manulife Individual Medical Underwriting Plan is Right for You!